Better Returns by Mike Ince

Mike Ince – Better Returns

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This collection of effects and ideas showcases some of my audience`s favorite creations, several of which would not have seen the light of day without collaboration and encouragement from friends like Sean Waters and Patrick O`Gorman (henceforth known as the ever-elusive Underground Kid) . Two or three get a better return on their investment, hence, the name "Better Returns". As in other arenas of life when it comes to mentalism two heads are better than one (unless they`re attached to the same neck, which makes audiences uncertain which one to look at).

In these pages you`ll find parlor and stage routines like "Einstein In My Pocket", "Apophenial Square", "Between Strangers" and "Six Degrees". There are also playful close-up effects with fortune cookies, playing cards, a simple peek for use with an ungaffed hip pocket wallet, plus presentational ideas to feed your imagination as you build your own routines. You`ll also find tips to make some of your favorite effects such as Osterlind`s "ODDS" and Steve Thompson`s "Glance" play even stronger (you`ll need to own those items to get the most out of my writing).

Here`s a description of the contents:

Fortunate One

Effect:

While dining casually with friends or prospective clients at a Chinese restaurant, the performer holds his hand above an ordinary, unprepared fortune cookie still wrapped in its plastic. Looking at the participant, the performer states, for example, "I see thrills in your future . "The participant unwraps the fortune cookie and breaks it open to find the following fortune:" A thrilling time is in your immediate future ".

The DWRNAP Peek

Effect:Someone writes on your business card and, holding it writing-side down, you replace it into your wallet By the time you`ve replaced your wallet into your inner breast pocket you know what they`ve written and can use the information. however you like. The wallet is legitimate and ungaffed.

Einstein in My Pocket

Effect:

The right audience experiences a fun, lively (if not slightly inappropriate) performance of Al Koran`s "The Trick That Fooled Einstein" which concludes with a twist of telepathy. If you find it too bold to perform you`ll still enjoy reading about it.

Changing the ODDS

"Yes, Mike … that is very, very good That adds a lot to the effect and makes it look that much more impossible.." -Richard Osterlind

Thoughts on using the "invisible compromise" of "DR" to make Osterlind`s drawing duplication effect seem even more unlikely. (Osterlind`s secrets will not be divulged so you`ll need to own ODDS to benefit the most from this item). My thanks go to Mr. O.

Between Strangers

Effect:

"Between Strangers" is a dual drawing-duplication between two audience members who read one another`s minds This is my handling of a ploy that dates back to vaudeville yet has seen sparse publi